The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-01
THE g. A. 3.

THE @. A. z.
The grand Reunion Of the G. A. r. al
ST. Louis has been accompanied by the
most abominable weather that could greet
an affair of that kind. ST. Louis is not the
most attractive place In the world in dry,
beautiful weather, but 1t is simply mud
hole in nasty weather. The G. A. r.,
therefore, are TO be commiserated. The
cloud settled down over the city on Sunday
and remained all the week, the rain falling
continuously. The parade set for Tuesday
was abandoned, and the veterans amused
themselves as best they could, crowding
into hotel halls, corridors and rooms, or in
to the Exposition or tramping the streets.
There was no end Of big guns present, in
Guiding all the great men of the old army,
the governors of nine States and one ex.
vice president. The incident of Tuesday
was the presentation to Gen. Fairchild with
the badge of past Commander-in.C Chief.
On Wednesday the rain continued, heav-
Ter than ever; but the parade went on just
the same, minus the thousands of veterans
who had become disguised with the wet
and mud and had returned home There
were thousands In line, who were reviewed
by Gen. Sherman and Gen. Fairchild, the
State Governors and Ex-Vice President
Hamlin.
Wednesday and Thursday were given
over to the proceedings of the encamp-
ment, Gen. Fairchild presiding. In his
annual report the Commander.in,C Chief said
he learned that the total number Of men,
beers borne on the rolls of the order at the
national encampment was 326,499. The
number reported June 30, 1887, was 49,.
STA; actual gain in five quarters, 4G,l57.
The increase of members In ninety days
ending June 30, 1887, in good standing,
was 1876. In 1880 there were 6O,G34
members. In the last five quarters there
have been mustered into the Grand Army
1886. There were reported June 80, 81,
in good standing, 336,562; suspended, 25,.
900; by delinquent reports, 10.S99; total
at last returns borne upon the rolls, 2,674.
The amount reported expended In charity,
March, 1885, to March, 1887, inclusive, is
$253,934.43. This money was disbursed to
1850 comrades and their families and
5000 others were assisted, giving 26,6O6
individuals who had received benefits dur
ing the year. The report is very long and
covers the whole field of g. A. Il. life and
operations.
Thursday was again wet, and many more
veterans left for home. Nevertheless
there were enough left to take in the ex-
cursions to Jefferson Barracks, the Lincoln
monument at Springfield and attend the
State reunions. In Encampment the sub
ject of pensions was brought up by the
committee, who recited the failure of the
dependent pension bill. They have, there.
fore, prepared new bill which makes pro-
vision for pensions to all veterans who are or
may hereafter become unable to earn their
own livelihood; for direct continuance
of pensions for widows in their own right;
for an increase of the present pittance to
minor children, and for fathers or mothers
from any date Of dependence. 1t also in
corporates-
"All of the recommendations for In
crease and equalization of pensions for
special disabilities made In his recent re-
port by Pension Commissioner Black.
"a pension of $l2 a month to all widows
of honorably discharged soldiers and sail
ors of the late war.
Increased pensions for the seyerer disa-
bilities, substantially as presented in the
bill prepared by the United States Manned
Veterans league.
pensions for the survivors of rebel pris-
ons, substantially as presented In the bill
of the National Association Of Prisoners
of War.
Increased pensions for loss of hearing
or eyesight.
"a re.enactment Of the arrears law and
an equitable equalization of bounties.
THE same pension for the widow of the
representative volunteer soldier of the In
ion army-John A. Logan-as is paid to
those typical regulars, Thomas, the Rock
of Chicamauga, and Hancock, always the
superb"
Columbus, Ohio, was selected as the
place Of next meeting.